I’m currently a sophomore in high school and, as long as I can remember, I have been taught about firearm safety.

Over the years I have learned to respect the power a gun holds, gun owner responsibility and my Second Amendment right.

Looking forward to college, I was glad to see the recent push for concealed carry on college campuses defeated. I know there is a self-defense issue, but on campus, student maturity is still developing, weapons training and experience are limited and alcohol use is frequent — lousy ingredients for gun safety. Read More»

On Monday, April 15, there will be only 30 days of school left for Fayette County until next year and forever for Fayette Middle School. Luckily, we have a ton of stuff packed into those 30 days.

Before anything else, we have to finish the CRCT (Boooo!).

For me, in comparison to the rest of the year, the biggest events are happening in chorus. First we are going to have “Gospel on the Green” April 24. It is a FCHS event at the amphitheater and will include performances from many famous gospel singers including one with whom FMS chorus will perform. Read More»

Mama’s favorite phrase when I was growing up — particularly during the defiant teenage years, especially when I sassed her — was “you’re gonna pay for your raising one day, little lady. Let me assure you of that. You just wait until you have children and see how they behave.” Read More»

A few days after the makeup session, I met Wendy, Joanne, and a couple of other women at now-defunct Banker‘s Note. We were each to pick out a casual and a dressy outfit for the church women‘s fashion show.

Joanne, a stunning woman of a certain age (meaning near mine), snatched two dresses off the racks, emerged a moment later wearing one, said “What do you think?“ to the rest of us. She did the same thing with the other outfit, and was done.

In five minutes, she was done. And she looked gorgeous in both choices. Read More»

A terrible incident, which could have resulted in multiple murders, occurred a few days ago in Texas.

A 20-year-old man went on a rampage at a Texas community college and attacked and wounded at least 14 people. Several had to be life-flighted to an area hospital as the young man went from building to building seeking targets of opportunity.

What makes this attack stand out from similar attacks elsewhere is that the weapon the man brandished was not a firearm. It was a knife. Read More»

It was 40 miles to nowhere. The car was running on empty and so was the driver. The detour off the main highway eventually led down a country road with little signage except one announcing a barbecue joint five miles ahead: “Next right: Bud’s Barbecue. We got the best butts and gas in town.”

Amused, the driver turned down the old road. Besides, for what lay ahead, he would need all his strength. With still another hour of traveling, a good meal would go a long way in helping him feel better. Read More»

Genetic engineering is in the news again. I say, bring it on.

When they passed out the genes that give women a sense of style, skill with a curling iron, artistry with the paint pots, I drew blanks. Genetic engineering might be the answer.

A church committee chairperson called and invited me to participate in a church fashion show. I agreed, thinking I might give other glamour-challenged women hope. Read More»

Maybe you missed the amazing story of Lindsey Scallan’s lost camera. I first saw it on Facebook on Palm Sunday when someone posted a Hawaii television station’s story about the hunt for the young lady who, six years earlier, had been vacationing and scuba diving in Hawaii. Read More»

Like many Americans I was surprised by the outcome of November’s elections, and am still processing what happened.

After all, virtually every quantifiable performance measurement revealed that the majority of Americans felt — personally, and as a country — that they were worse off and heading in the wrong direction.

Yet, these same Americans re-elected President Barack Obama, who presided over the country during this period of decline.

Here I am, nearly five months later, finally able to process what happened. Read More»

A year ago, Fayette business, political, and educational leaders met for what we thought would be a singular discussion of local employment issues. The conversation surprised many of us, as we quickly learned that hundreds of technical jobs are available right here in Fayette County.

CEOs and human resource directors from multiple companies in dozens of industries said they would like to expand their operations in Fayette County. All they lack is the needed trained and ready workforce. Read More»